destine

verb

des·​tine ˈde-stən 

destined; destining

transitive verb

1

: to decree beforehand : predetermine

was not destined to attain the throne

2

a

: to designate, assign, or dedicate in advance

believed their son was destined for the priesthood

destined to succeed

a flaw that destines them to fail

b

: to direct, devise, or set apart for a specific purpose or place

freight destined for European ports

Synonyms

• doom
• ordain
• fate

Examples of destine in a Sentence

his extreme height seemed to destine him for a career in basketball

Recent Examples on the Web

This time, the focus is on corduroy that was once destined for landfill. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 3 Nov. 2025

But spackling together a new core out of up-transfers alongside Dillon Hunter, the source of the team’s only returning starts from last year, seems destined for some growing pains. —The Athletic College Basketball Staff, New York Times, 3 Nov. 2025

That Time We Met follows a new couple that discovers their unborn child is destined to save the future of humanity. —Zac Ntim, Deadline, 3 Nov. 2025

To some, he is destined to join Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner – by far and away the standout players in men’s tennis this year – at the very top of the game. —George Ramsay, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French destiner, from Latin destinare, from de- + -stinare (akin to Latin stare to stand) — more at stand

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for destine

• clandestine
• intestine
• progestin

Kids Definition

destine

verb

des·​tine ˈdes-tən 

destined; destining

1

: to settle in advance

a plan destined to fail

2

: to choose, assign, or dedicate in advance

destined their child for the study of law

3

: to be bound or directed

a ship destined for New York